🇨🇦 Permanent residence

Canada will stop accepting new applications under the two dedicated Hong Kong permanent-residence pathways after 31 August 2026. Stream A — In-Canada Graduates Stream A provides a permanent-residence pathway for eligible Hong Kong nationals who have completed qualifying education in Canada. The pathway was designed to allow eligible graduates who were already in Canada to transition to permanent residence based on their Canadian educational experience. Stream B — In-Canada Work Experience Stream B provides a permanent-residence pathway for eligible Hong Kong nationals who have obtained qualifying work experience in Canada. The pathway was designed to facilitate permanent residence for Hong Kong nationals who had established Canadian work experience and met the applicable requirements. Closure date 31 August 2026 is the final day for new applications. IRCC's programme page states that the pathways are open until that date. Applications submitted before the deadline remain subject to processing by IRCC. The closure therefore changes the future availability of the pathways, rather than retrospectively invalidating applications already submitted.

For 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will implement a category-based selection process for Express Entry that prioritises specific occupations. The selection mix will allocate a heavier weighting to candidates with experience in healthcare, skilled trades, and education occupations. Conversely, the number of general draws for Express Entry will be reduced.

The following is now in effect: - An investment of approximately $1.3 million to support a new project funded through the Francophone Immigration Support Program. - This project aims to grow Manitoba’s Francophone population through innovative promotional initiatives and digital solutions, targeted research, and increased support for skills recognition. These measures streamline the immigration process for Francophone and bilingual candidates who meet labour market needs. - The Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP) is extended for an additional year, through August 2027. This pilot continues to facilitate access to the International Student Program (ISP) for Francophone students from regions with historically high study permit refusal rates. Participants receive settlement and integration services and can apply for permanent residence after graduating from an eligible programme. Immediate family members may accompany FMCSP participants.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is accelerating the process for up to 33,000 workers already in Canada to gain permanent residence during 2026 and 2027. This initiative prioritises eligible applications from existing inventories of work permit holders who have already applied for permanent residence. These workers are those who have applied through the Provincial Nominee Program, the Atlantic Immigration Program, community immigration pilots, caregiver pilots, or the Agri-Food Pilot, and have resided in smaller Canadian communities for two years or more.